Amusement device for game play and lottery game utilizing the amusement device

ABSTRACT

An amusement device that is a game ticket in a lottery-type game is formed as a noisemaker that carries game indicia. The device includes a sealed envelope or bag having indicia for game play in the bag, preferably printed or attached to an inner surface of the bag. The envelope is rupturable to open the envelope for game play and generate a popping noise for amusement.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to an amusement device for game play and a lottery-type game utilizing the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Small games of chance provide popular entertainment at carnivals, amusement parks, and the like, and are important sources of revenue for game operators. Players compete for a chance of winning prizes with a relatively small cash purchase.

Lottery-type games of chance are especially popular today. Game pieces or games tickets are uniquely identified by serial number, game symbol, or other marking or indicia that identify winning and losing tickets. Players unfold the game tickets or scratch off coatings to reveal the indicia and discover what prizes, if any, are won.

Although conventional lottery games have proven to be popular, there is always a need to increase game appeal and provide fresh, new games. New or improved games sell more tickets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is an amusement device that can be used as a game piece or game ticket in a lottery-type game. The amusement device of the present invention is a noisemaker that carries game indicia.

A number of game tickets or noisemakers are sold to players. The noisemaker is popped to simultaneously generate noise for amusement and open the game ticket to access the indicia and to enable each player to determine what prize, if any, was won. The combination of noisemaker and game ticket attracts players and provides more appealing game play.

An amusement device in accordance with the present invention includes a sealed envelope or bag having an inner surface bounding an interior volume. Indicia for game play is in the bag, preferably printed or attached to the inner surface of the bag. The envelope is rupturable or poppable by hand or underfoot to open the envelope for game play and generate a popping noise for amusement. The envelope or bag is preferably made from water-resistant paper and the indicia are printed on the paper.

The interior of the bag can hold confetti or other materials to be disbursed when popping the bag. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, however, the envelope or bag is empty. Popping the bag does not disburse contents that must be cleaned up later. This is an advantage when a large number of game pieces are sold at carnivals or similar venues.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing sheet illustrating an embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of an amusement device in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a front view of a paper blank used to manufacture the amusement device shown in FIG. 1

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates a is a sectional view through an amusement device 10 in accordance with the present invention that is a game ticket for a lottery-type game. The amusement device 10 is a noisemaker formed as a sealed bag or envelope 12 having. closed ends 14. An inner surface 16 of the bag 12 bounds an interior volume of air 18. The bag 12 in the illustrated embodiment is empty, but could contain confetti or other loose materials. Game indicia 20 (see FIG. 2) is printed on the inner surface 16.

FIG. 2 illustrates a paper sheet 22 used to form the bag 12. Sheet 22 is a 5-inch by 7.5-inch sheet of opaque polycoat paper whose shorter dimension extends between bag ends 14.

The game indicia 20 is printed on the side of the sheet 22 that will form inner surface 16. The illustrated indicia 20 is the repeated letter “L” printed the length of the paper, indicating that a player has won a “large” prize. Other text or non-text indicia can be used for the lottery game, including indicia used in conventional lottery games, and the indicia can be glued or otherwise attached to the surface 16. The opposite side 24 of the sheet can be printed with promotional materials, game directions, advertising, or the like if desired.

The sheet 22 is folded and sealed using conventional paper bag-making techniques. The indicia 20 cannot be seen through the paper forming the bag. In other embodiments portions of the bag can be transparent or translucent; the indicia 20, however, should not be visible through the bag.

A player purchases an amusement device 10 as a game ticket and determines whether it is a winning ticket. The bag 12 is rupturable by squeezing in hand or by stepping on the bag. When the bag 12 ruptures, it makes a popping noise for amusement and game appeal. The ruptured bag exposes and enables access to the indicia 20 for game play. The opened bag and indicia remain as a one-piece member for easy cleanup and disposal of game tickets.

The illustrated bag 12 is made of water-resistant paper, but other types of papers or other materials can be used in other embodiments of the invention. For example, bags 12 can be made from blow-molded plastic. Films, scratch-off coatings, or overlays can be used to block the view of the indicia, and the location and area taken up by the indicia can vary from the illustrated embodiment.

While I have illustrated and described preferred embodiments of my invention, it is understood that these are capable of modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations, as fall within the purview of the following claims. 

1. An amusement device for game play comprising: a closed bag formed from a non-transparent material, the bag comprising an inner surface bounding an interior of the bag, the bag being rupturable upon compression of the bag by a hand or foot to open the bag and generate a popping noise; and indicia for game play printed on the inner surface of the bag, the non-transparent material not visible through the bag whereby the indicia cannot be seen by a player selecting a closed bag; whereby rupturing the bag both pops the bag and provides player access to the indicia for game play.
 2. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein the closed bag is an empty bag so that nothing is expelled from the bag when it is popped.
 3. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein the material comprises paper.
 4. The amusement device of claim 3 wherein the paper is polycoat paper.
 5. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein the indicia comprises text.
 6. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein the bag is formed from a 5-inch by 7.5-inch sheet of paper.
 7. A game device comprising: a sealed envelope bounding an interior volume of the envelope, the envelope comprising a portion having an inner surface facing the interior, and indicia for game play on the inner surface; the indicia not being visible through the sealed envelope; and the envelope being poppable to open the envelope for game play and generate a popping noise for amusement.
 8. The game device of claim 7 wherein the indicia is printed on the inner surface.
 9. The game device of claim 7 wherein the entire envelope is opaque.
 10. The game device of claim 7 wherein the indicia comprises non-text indicia.
 11. The game device of claim 7 wherein the indicia remains attached to the bag when the bag is popped.
 12. A method of playing a lottery-type game wherein winners are determined by indicia carried by a game piece, the game piece comprising a sealed bag comprising an inner surface enclosing a volume, the indicia on the inner surface, the game comprising the steps of: (a) distributing a plurality of game pieces to respective players; (b) each player popping the bag to simultaneously generate a popping noise for amusement and to open the bag wherein opening the bag discloses the indicia to the player; and (c) each player determining on the basis of the indicia the prize won, if any.
 13. (canceled)
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein the indicia is printed on the inner surface.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein the sealed bag is empty.
 16. The method of claim 12 wherein the indicia and the sealed bag are a one-piece member and remain a one-piece member after the bag is popped. 